Common Knowledge in Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
(continued)
With respect to ”manifestation”, a Manifestation Land is an expedient land manifested by the Buddha for bodhisattvas prior to reaching the states of the Ten Grounds, and for practitioners of the two vehicles, and ordinary beings. It is also called a Transformation Land, or an Expedient Manifestation Land. This Land is not a realm for the Buddha himself, but is manifested according to the karmic conditions of sentient beings. It is not pure but relatively defiled and subjected to change with time.
In the Chapter on the Profound Meaning in the Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra, Master Shandao affirms that the Land of Bliss is a Reward Land, not a Manifestation Land.
「化」為化現,化土乃佛為初地以前菩薩、二乘及凡夫所方便示現之國土, 又稱「變化土」「方便化土」。此土非佛本身境界,隨眾生機感不同,有淨有穢,前後改轉。
善導大師《觀經疏.玄義分》判極樂世界為報土,非化土。
Namo Amituofo!
